Recommend a great movie

[dadevvtsvre]

Xephyr, care to elaborate a little on the films? What they're about? Why you enjoyed them?

Man, it's hard for me to think of arealy great film. I'm a sucker for Kubrick though, so maybe I'll check out a few of the ones you guys mentioned.

 

[moog]

LOL HEY GYUS THE DARK NIGHGT WAS EPIC HAVE YOU SEEN IT.

 

[Justice]

xephyr i'm sure you're either a troll or just have a very keen sense of irony as there is no way anyone is that much of a TYPICAL 14 YEAR OLD ON A GAMING FORUM

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the last film i watched and really enjoyed was The Long Goodbye

an adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel of the same name, it jettisons much of the source material but works in a completely brilliant way. i love Chandler but Altman's adaptation works so much better for the elements it changes. the storyline is altered and simplified drastically, focusing a lot more on its glorious, visually arresting and on occasion surreal setting than the labrynthine plot. it's set in the 1970s, twenty years later than the novel, but Philip Marlowe remains very much a character from the 1950s, a relic seemingly lost in the seedy self-obsessed me-world of 1970s Hollywood. Elliot Gould's performance is impeccable, and he alone basically makes the film what it is, sitting awkwardly next to the funny, bizarre supporting characters, parodies of Hollywood stereotypes
the plot isn't really worth going into, but it all starts with Marlowe trying to feed his cat - it's a detective film so there's really no easy way to sum it up, although i will say that the plot is excellent. the ending to the film is probably one of the best i've ever seen, and the 'Coke bottle' scene is so shocking it literally made me gasp, and acts as proof that cinematic shock comes more from great filmmaking than 'shock factor' like Saw and Hostel seem to 'champion'
the score is brilliant, consisting of iirc only two songs, but with variations on the main theme of each of these and it works fantastically
basically it's all really good, i don't think it was too successful with Chandler purists but i don't really see why. it may not bear much resemblence to the book but it's nonetheless a stellar piece of filmmaking, and of the neo-noir films of that era i think it is easily on par with Chinatown, which is seen as a lot more of a classic compared to the largely underrated The Long Goodbye

 

[candle]

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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Not only is this movie based on a true story, but The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an amazing character study of both Jesse James and Robert Ford. For once, Jesse James (played by Brad Pitt, btw) is not portrayed as a Robin Hood type character.  The movie covers the last months of Jesse James life from the time he first meets Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) to the day Robert Ford shoots him in the back, and even a little beyond.  Fords is made famous by killing James, but no one cares when he dies.

 

[e]

I've got mixed feelings about that movie. It's got beautiful scenery and whoever did the photography direction deserves two thumbs up. The cast was solid, the movie well played out, but some scenes could've been removed. I found myself bored at times with lengthy, uneventful scenes (with pale dialogue).

But otherwise, good stuff; I liked how not even Robert Ford cared when he died, finally absorbing the collective emnity towards him and for some reason conforming to the idea that he should feel bad, when Jesse James was a crazy motherfucker which didn't deserve all the glory later bestowed on him.

 

[___]

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I can't begin to describe my feelings about this movie, except to say it's by far the best I've seen in the past year or so. If the Coen brothers aren't enough to sell you on it, and you've never heard of Cormac McCarthy, just take it on faith. Much more than a simple thriller, the masterful plot explores the impact of fate and circumstance through the eyes of an aging sheriff, an unassuming blue collar Texan, and an unstoppable monster who is more a force of nature and self-conscious embodiment of fate than a villain in the traditional sense (think Terminator, or some God in an old myth, he is a walking metaphor for capriciousness, cruelty and inevitability as much as he is a character in his own right). I can't really say more without spoiling bits and pieces of the story, but it's just brilliantly written and directed, intellectually stimulating, and totally engaging in the way that only a few films are. Oh, and don't let me pump your expectations so high that you spoil the movie for yourself...

 

[Mundane]

Ok, one I just watched recently is Natural Born Killers which is a brutal propaganda flick directed by the legendary Oliver Stone and written by none other than the demented Quentin Tarantino. Natural Born Killers is a film that blatantly attacks the abusive and mind consuming nature of the media and twists and bends it around the deeply brutal murdering rampage of Mickey and Malory Knox.

These two oppressed people go on a psychotic killing spree which takes the lives of 30 or more people. With Stone's blatant stabs at mass media with quick shots of Coke commercials and news stories blend perfectly with Tarantino's gritty action story.

Once you get used to the horrendously pointless onslaught and the strange lighting and commercial cut-ins you'll come to realize the two main characters have this real motive for murder and although they are deeply disturbed, they portray that their cause is righteous. Woody Harrelson(No Country for Old Men, North Country) is an excellent pick for the portrayal of Mickey Knox who is a downright maniac.

You just need to watch this flic'. You'll come to love it's quirky sense of humor and satire - and it's gore. It's just a thrill ride of a film and it really has a great deep message with leaves you thinking all sorts of crazy shit when the credits roll.

 

[Glitchfinder]

I've got several movies to recommend.

The first is a classic, and I think it still holds a great deal of value. Anyone heard of Princess Bride? It's a great love story, with good comedy interspersed throughout to lighten the mood and keep things going. The second movie I wanted to recommend was Ever After. It's another love story, and it's a relatively new take on the classic Cinderella story. It hink it's a great movie, and it has a lot of intriguing dialogue. The next one for me to recommend is Secondhand Lions. It is an intriguing story taking place in a child's present, his relatives' past, and partially in his future. It has many funny scenes, and more than a couple worthwhile life lessons. I think it's another movie that deserves to be a classic. Another movie I'd like to recommend is (Yes, I'll keep going) O Brother, where art thou? It's a modern take on the Greek classic the Illiad, and it has a great deal of good humor and a wonderfully done cast. The final movie I'd like to recommend is Blazing Saddles. It's a hilarious comedy, with more than it's fair share of slurs and off-color remarks, and it makes a great time if you don't mind jokes about race, sex, politics, and general stupidity. (Not to mention breaking the fourth wall) I think it is one of the better comedies out there, and is up there with Monty Python. (Although you could probably like Airplane and Clue if you like this, even if they are completely different forms of comedy. Not to mention the fact that the Clue DVD gives you the option to watch the movie with one of three random endings. Each theater only got one ending when the movie was released way back when, which caused a lot of confusion)

 

[Untra]

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The dude abides.

Yes, the Big Lebowski is my film of choice. The films simple concept becomes expanded to hilariously large proportions as the dude tries to put up with a group of thugs who attack him and pee on his rug. All The Dude wants is a new rug, but he never gets that and winds up trying to find the people who kidnapped the millionaires daughter.

If you've never seen the big lebowski, then you certainly have never had the chance to ask yourself, "Who peed on my fucking rug?".

God the Coen Brothers are genius.

 

[So fist]

@Mundane

NBC was a decent enough film.  The question of whether life reflects media or media reflects life is an interesting one, but I don't really see anything deep particularly said on the matter.  Aside from chastising the viewing public for its vicarious nature and penchant to thirst for and seek out the sensational and prurient details of both the notorious and the noteworthy not much else is said.  And ironically if Stone would have his way and we were somehow able to dispense with the desire to experience vicariously and to know things outside of our normal experience who would attend his movies?  It just strikes me as a rather asinine message to be couched with massive killing spree by two rather flat characters.  Its parody was thought provoking and the parallels drawn with all facets of media obsession are executed rather well.  Its just the message is ham-fisted.  The movie is another example of Tarantino's love affair with the mexican standoff which as per usual he always executes with remarkable build up and captures the great tension of the moment.  Really if there is anything Tarantino is good at writing its the moments of apprehension before weighty climaxes.  He's never topped Reservoir Dogs in this vein though in my opinion.

@Glitchfinder

Princess Bride is a nice cute little comedy/fantasy that works because it doesn't take itself seriously.  The character balance is very nice.  You have Andre the Giant's (Fezzik) easy going gentle giant attitude to balance off Mandy Patinkin's (Inigo Montoya) much more serious and intense character.  The movie makes great use of classic style comic relief through characters such as Vizzini (Wallace Shawn)and Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) and Wife (Carol Kane).  What's really great about the direction and the screen play is that there is something for every viewer in this movie, a rare family treat.

Blazing Saddles is simply great.  Avante Garde for its time. Mel Brooks took a lot of risks with the film and they paid off tremendously.  Richard Pryor was on the screenwriting team no other reasons needed.  It should be required viewing, its brilliant.

 

[JoshieBoy]

@ xephyr: Het, it's "the strangers guy". (is my name that hard to remember? Please just call me Josh or Joshua or even Dude would have been okay with me.) I am sorry you didn't like that movie. But my first impression of this topic was it was to be about recent movies. If I had known I could post any movie I wanted, I probably would have posted something different. The Strangers is a good movie, especially if you look at it compared to some of the other "horror" movies released from around 2005-now.

 

[moog]

I didnt think the Strangers was all too bad either.

 

[e]

You know a weird horror movie? As in, "what the fuck is this shit why I am watching this wait no why am I not stopping this why must I watch this is horrible why is he doing that please stop what the shit fuck hell!"? Funny Games. Weird stuff.

There's not much of a critic to put up here, considering that I'm no cinema critic or anything; the only impression it made on me (other than the excellent cast) was that it was weird as hell. I'm still not sure what I think of it (as in, good or bad).

 

[candle]

You know a weird horror movie? As in, "what the fuck is this shit why I am watching this wait no why am I not stopping this why must I watch this is horrible why is he doing that please stop what the shit fuck hell!"?

Enter Borat/ Talladega Nights/ Walk Hard

 

[$t3v0]

August Rush is my latest liking. I have too many to list.

The soundtrack is amazing o.o

 

[@#$%^&]

august rush is just like the pursuit of happyness, wherein the characters go through shit for the majority of the movie until the last 5 minutes where everything fits together perfectly.

i mean, both movies were good, but it's a little unsettling imo.

 

[candle]

pursuit of happiness was based on a true story, though.  I don't think August Rush was.

 

[@#$%^&]

i'm not really talking about the movies themselves
just the layouts.
but the fact that one was true doesn't make a difference anyway.

 

[e]

All the recommendations are getting shorter. Just saying.

 

[Cruelty]

i wish i could adequately summarize these movies in a way that actually portrays their quality.. but i can't. i'll try tho.

Bully; a movie about a group of suburban teens (not a crappy 'teen movie' kindof thing, btw) who has an abusive, likely sociopolitical 'friend' who frequently torments them both physically, and mentally. at some point, they decide they cant put up with him any longer, and they conspire to kill him. however, they hardly know what they're doing, and they freak out. the plot alone might seem kinda lame, but the writing is very good. the characters are deep, and well constructed. this was based off of a book by (i dont know if this is accurate, as far as spelling, and just plain being incorrect) jim schutze.
i wouldn't recommend this flick for nothing, it really is worth a look, i just can't explain it in a way that makes anyone want to watch it. :{

waking life; about a guy who's sleeping. he's trying to wake up, but he isn't actually sleeping. he kinda just floats about the dream world (not literally) listening to, and partaking in conversations about philosophy, religion, ideology, and all kinds off good stuff. theres a lot of dialog. this is probably the wordiest movie i've ever seen, and it's probably not your thing if you're just trying to be entertained. it's a thinker's movie, full of plenty of cool philosophies, and interesting spiritual propositions. its a really interesting watch, and its my favorite movie. :}